Essay On Tom Robinson's Childhood

Many well known people with a neglected childhood have grown up to become influential adults. Although the belief that it’s impossible to become a strong, productive adult if one had an abusive childhood is prominent, I firmly contradict. There are numerous characters in literature and people in modern times, who have overcome their youth challenges. To be a strong grown-up doesn’t necessarily mean to be successful. Being a powerful adult can also mean having good morals, and being gracious even when struggling through life obstacles. A literary example of someone with these characteristics are Tom Robinson, a character developed by Harper Lee in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. In present day, even the 44th President of the United States,

Barack Obama, has faced a gruesome adolescence as well.
In the famous novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, a critical character throughout the story is Tom Robinson.

Tom Robinson was an African American slave faced with allegations of sexual assault. Not long after, Tom Robinson was faced with death. In spite of, he still managed to be an amiable adult after enduring a vigorous childhood. To exemplify, in the story, it was explained how Tom Robinson received a limp, and a longer arm as a child. In the following quote, Reverend Sykes informs Jem about the story of his injury during the trial:

“He got caught in a cotton gin, caught it in Mr. Dolphus Raymond’s cotton gin when he was a boy… like to bled to death… tore all the muscles loose from his bones-” (186)

Based on this quote, he suffered a great amount of torment. However, he was still able to give back to others, even when he was struggling. This claim is supported by the situation in the story when Atticus walks into his house to find out Tom left food on the back steps as a gift of gratitude. In the upcoming quote Atticus and Calpurnia are speaking of how it was a compassionate act, but should also never do it again due to hard times:

Calpurnia said, “This was all ‘round the back steps when I got here this morning. They-they aren’t oversteppin’ themselves, are

they?”
Atticus’s eyes filled with tears. He did not speak for a moment. “Tell them I’m very grateful,” he said. “Tell them-tell them they must never do this again. Times are too hard…” (213)
As you can tell by what Atticus said in the last sentence of his quotation, Tom was such a pleasant fellow, that he gave back even after going through some of life’s greatest challenges.
To add more modernized evidence to oppose this statement, former President, Barack Obama, did not have the finest childhood. Obama struggled with divorced parents. As reported by Obama’s half-brother, Obama Sr., Obama also suffered from having an abusive, alcoholic father. Due to the divorce, Obama and his mother moved to many places before settling in Hawaii near his grandparents. Growing up was also burdensome for Obama because of his multiracial heritage. As a result, he turned to illegal drugs and substances as a coping mechanism, just as a teenager. Even after his traumatic childhood, Barack Obama graduated from Columbia University majoring in Political Science with International Relations, and then graduated from Harvard Law School. He then made the biggest step in his career by becoming the first African American President of the United States. Barack Obama was able to learn and grow from his tenacious youth years, and became one of the most historic presidential figures of all times. Even after his presidency, he continues to inspire and influence our country.
As I had said, the belief that only people with “normal” childhoods grow up to be strong adults, is untruthful. This was confirmed incorrect through examples of a literary character who was a strong person, but faced a childhood of a nightmare. As well as giving proof of an influential person who grew up to be a productive adult, after his neglected childhood. Thus justifying that anyone from any type of childhood can become an outstanding grown-up.